2009 Sutphen Sph 100

On May 22, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation investigation (PE13-017) on Sutphen SPH aerial ladder bucket equipped emergency vehicles for cable failures resulting in unintended bucket retraction.This investigation was closed November 19, 2013 when Sutphen submitted a safety recall 13V-565.At the time of the recall, Sutphen believed the failures were a result of poor maintenance.Sutphen conducted a remedy program where they inspected all of the subject vehicles, repaired any damaged aerial ladder components and trained the owners on the proper maintenance of the equipment.Since the closing of PE13-017, ODI has been made aware (through media reports) of three post recall failures that resulted in 6 injuries.These failures occurred following the implementation of the 13V-565 recall remedy on the subject vehicles.On August 6th, 2014 ODI opened this Recall Query (RQ14-003) on the same Sutphen Corporation SPH aerial ladder bucket equipped emergency vehicles based on the three additional aerial ladder bucket failures.On September 4th, 2014 an ODI investigator, Sutphen engineers, a Hall County technical representative and County Commissioner conducted an inspection of a failed subject vehicle in Atlanta, Georgia.The Fire truck and aerial device were impounded and secured in the maintenance shop where all parties were able to conduct an inspection of the failed components.The Hall county representatives extended the aerial ladder bucket for the ODI and Sutphen inspectors to take measurements and pictures.Also, the failed cables were laid out on the garage floor for inspection. On October 18th 2014, Sutphen purchased the subject fire truck from Hall County for additional analysis and later decided to conduct an additional Safety Recall.Sutphen determined the root cause of the unintended retraction of the aerial ladder bucked was a failure of the cables which extend and retract the ladder.Subsequently a field retrofit kit was developed, analyzed, and tested to ensure that in-service aerials could be restored to a safe operating configuration.This is accomplished by increasing both the size and strength of the cables and limiting the maximum hydraulic pressure in the extension system. This new modification kit will update the field units to meet Sutphen's standards and exceed NFPA requirements.This investigation is closed with safety recall 14V-718.

On May 22, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to investigate an alleged failure of an aerial ladder bucket on a subject vehicle while in operation.The failure occurred during a public relations event at a fire station while four civilians and one firefighter were being elevated in the aerial ladder bucket.Once the ladder was fully extended at a 45 degree angle, the ladder component of the vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic failure. This resulted in the ladder retracting rapidly into its bedded position.This sudden stoppage caused multiple injuries to all five of the occupants within the aerial ladder bucket.Sutphen concluded that the main cables were worn. The bearings in the sheaves used in the extend/retract the system had seized and prevented the sheaves from rotating. The cables sliding over the non-moving sheaves resulted in excessive wear and reduced load carrying capacity.Failure of the extend/retract system can result in either the aerial becoming inoperable or cause it to unexpectedly retract. This movement could result in damage to the vehicle and/or injuries to personnel on or around the vehicle.Sutphen is conducting a voluntary Safety Recall (13V-565) to address the safety concerns with the aerial ladder.As part of the remedy, Sutphen will inspect each vehicle for worn parts and will provide detailed instructions for vehicle owners on how to inspect and maintain the aerial ladder portion of the fire apparatus.

This investigation was opened after ODI was notified by a fire rescue authority that they had multiple driveshaft failures on four of their fire trucks. Allegedly, one driveshaft was ejected from the truck as it was being driven on the highway at a high rate of speed. Sutphen conducted an engineering evaluation and then decided to conduct a safety recall.They will: a.modify the cross members on the pre-2007 vehicles; b.conduct driveshaft re-phasing on the post-2007 vehicles; and c.replace the frame cross members.The action taken by Sutphen resolves this investigation. Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

WHILE OPERATING THE PLATFORM FOR A PUBLIC RELATIONS EVENT AT THE FIRE STATION, FOUR CIVILIANS AND ONE FIREFIGHTER WERE RAISED UP IN THE BUCKET. AT APPROXIMATELY 80 FEET EXTENSION AND 45 DEGREES ELEVATION THE LADDER COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE RESULTING IN THE LADDER RETRACTING RAPIDLY INTO ITS BEDDED POSITION. THE SUDDEN STOP CAUSING MULTIPLE INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS. AT THE TIME THE ONLY OBVIOUS FAILURE WAS THE RETRACTION AND EXTENSION CABLES. AT THIS TIME THE FAILURE IS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED BY SEVERAL PARTIES AS TO ACTUAL CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10500841

Incident

Aug 15, 2012

Mileage

9,280 mi

Heater manifold valve orientation for heater lines. Winter preparation for heat in cab.

Cable Lubrication Service Bulletin